The strongest earthquakes ever in Emilia-Romagna from 1000 to 2020

Historical series of the strongest earthquakes ever in Emilia-Romagna

This page shows the strongest earthquakes ever with epicenter in Emilia-Romagna, from 1000 up to present times (year 2020 included). The information refers to a database of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. In particular, it is the following work: Rovida A., Locati M., Camassi R., Lolli, B., Gasperini P., Antonucci A. 2022. Parametric Catalog of Italian Earthquakes (CPTI15), version 4.0. National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), https://doi.org/10.13127/CPTI/CPTI15.4.4

Only seismic events with a magnitude ≥ 3.5 were selected from the database.

Below the map there is also a table, indicating the date, the denomination of the area of maximum effects and the moment magnitude. Together with the events with an epicenter in Emilia-Romagna, those earthquakes not far from the regional borders have also sometimes been included.

Data from INGV, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, ingv.it

What was the strongest earthquake ever in Emilia-Romagna?

The strongest earthquake ever with its epicenter in Emilia-Romagna was recorded on April 4, 1781 with a magnitude equal to 6.12 (area/city: Faentino).

Symbols used for earthquake epicenters in Emilia-Romagna

The color of the icons indicates the magnitude.  Yellow: 3.5≤M<4 .  Orange: 4≤M<5 .  Red: 5≤M<6 .  Purple: 6≤M<7 . Black: M≥7 .
Click on the icon to view the details of the seismic event. Below the epicenter map there is a table with a list of the events.


In the database there are 465 earthquakes, 47 of them with 3.5≤Mw<4 (10.1%), 318 with 4≤Mw<5 (68.4%), 96 with 5≤Mw<6 (20.6%), 4 with 6≤Mw<7 (0.9%), 0 with Mw≥7 (0.0%).

More link:
Strongest earthquakes, Italian regions

Strongest earthquakes ever with epicenter in Italy
Strongest earthquakes ever with epicenter in Italy and magnitude ≥5
Strongest earthquakes ever with epicenter in Italy and magnitude ≥6
Strongest earthquakes ever with epicenter in Italy and magnitude ≥7


Tables of the earthquakes since 1000 a.d. with epicenters in Emilia-Romagna

By clicking on the header of each column it is possible to sort the events as you like (for example, in chronological order). By default they are sorted by decreasing magnitude.


# Data Evento Area Epicentro Magnitudo
1 April 4, 1781Faentino6.12
2 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana6.09
3 June 5, 1501Modenese6.05
4 March 22, 1661Appennino forlivese6.05
5 October 19, 1768Appennino forlivese5.99
6 September 10, 1584Appennino forlivese5.97
7 February 14, 1834Val di taro-lunigiana5.96
8 November 10, 1918Appennino forlivese5.96
9 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana5.9
10 April 11, 1688Romagna5.84
11 May 17, 1916Riminese5.82
12 August 16, 1916Riminese5.82
13 March 17, 1875Costa romagnola5.74
14 August 11, 1483Romagna5.69
15 October 29, 1725Appennino tosco-emiliano5.67
16 December 25, 1786Riminese5.66
17 January 3, 1505Bolognese5.62
18 July 17, 1781Faentino5.61
19 October 30, 1870Forlivese5.61
20 April 14, 1672Riminese5.59
21 June 11, 1438Parmense5.56
22 April 11, 1470Appennino bolognese5.56
23 April 30, 1279Appennino forlivese5.52
24 March 13, 1832Reggiano5.51
25 July 15, 1971Parmense5.51
26 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana5.5
27 September 11, 1831Pianura emiliana5.48
28 July 3, 1428Forlivese5.47
29 August 16, 1916Riminese5.46
30 October 22, 1796Emilia orientale5.45
31 November 17, 1570Ferrarese5.44
32 March 19, 1624Argenta5.43
33 June 25, 1869Appennino bolognese5.43
34 June 9, 1545Val di taro5.38
35 October 15, 1996Pianura emiliana5.38
36 March 4, 1898Parmense5.37
37 January 13, 1909Emilia romagna orientale5.36
38 April 20, 1929Bolognese5.36
39 December 23, 2008Parmense5.36
40 August 15, 1916Riminese5.35
41 August 15, 1916Riminese5.34
42 January 25, 1308Rimini5.33
43 July 25, 1365Bologna5.33
44 August 4, 1383Forlì5.33
45 October 28, 1600Reggio nell'emilia5.33
46 April 6, 1639Finale emilia5.33
47 August 15, 1916Riminese5.31
48 August 16, 1916Riminese5.3
49 December 10, 1937Frignano5.3
50 May 11, 1929Bolognese5.29
51 September 21, 1813Romagna5.28
52 June 20, 1671Modenese-reggiano5.27
53 February 19, 1911Forlivese5.26
54 December 9, 1818Parmense5.24
55 September 14, 2003Appennino bolognese5.24
56 June 5, 1935Faentino5.23
57 August 9, 1963Romagna5.23
58 June 4, 1779Bolognese5.22
59 January 24, 1881Bolognese5.22
60 February 12, 1806Reggiano5.21
61 April 29, 1929Bolognese5.2
62 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana5.17
63 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana5.16
64 June 13, 1934Val di taro-lunigiana5.14
65 July 10, 1591Romagna5.13
66 July 15, 1811Modenese-reggiano5.13
67 October 16, 1861Romagna5.13
68 April 19, 1929Bolognese5.13
69 August 17, 1536Appennino settentrionale5.12
70 February 1, 1857Parmense-reggiano5.11
71 March 20, 1234Ferrara5.1
72 December 13, 1285Ferrara5.1
73 June 15, 1393Appennino forlivese5.1
74 July 20, 1399Appennino modenese5.1
75 November 15, 1409Parma5.1
76 January 9, 1411Ferrara5.1
77 1472 (exact date unknown)Rimini5.1
78 February 10, 1547Reggiano5.1
79 November 5, 1738Emilia occidentale5.1
80 April 22, 1929Bolognese5.1
81 March 20, 1911Forlivese5.09
82 December 2, 1917Appennino forlivese5.09
83 July 4, 1834Val di taro-lunigiana5.08
84 February 6, 1780Bolognese5.06
85 December 25, 1810Pianura emiliana5.06
86 May 1, 1940Parmense5.06
87 April 10, 1929Bolognese5.05
88 December 30, 1967Emilia romagna orientale5.05
89 January 27, 2012Appennino parmense5.05
90 March 26, 1911Riminese5.04
91 June 28, 1923Modenese5.04
92 November 9, 1983Parmense5.04
93 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana5.04
94 April 27, 1879Appennino tosco-emiliano5.03
95 December 31, 1504Bolognese5.02
96 April 19, 1509Faentino5.02
97 May 16, 1873Reggiano5.01
98 August 15, 1916Riminese5.01
99 August 15, 1916Riminese5
100 August 15, 1916Riminese5
101 May 26, 1956Appennino forlivese4.99
102 January 25, 2012Pianura emiliana4.98
103 October 7, 1874Imolese4.96
104 February 20, 1956Argenta4.96
105 January 22, 1871Pianura romagnola4.95
106 August 18, 1916Riminese4.95
107 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.95
108 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.95
109 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.95
110 July 4, 1952Appennino forlivese4.94
111 August 15, 1916Riminese4.93
112 November 16, 1975Appennino piacentino4.93
113 October 8, 1801Bolognese4.9
114 June 3, 2012Pianura emiliana4.9
115 June 18, 2000Pianura emiliana4.88
116 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.88
117 October 10, 1915Reggiano4.87
118 October 25, 1972Appennino settentrionale4.87
119 1194 (exact date unknown)Galeata4.86
120 August 31, 1249Modena4.86
121 May 9, 1410Ferrara4.86
122 December 31, 1491Forlì4.86
123 June 22, 1620Ravennate4.86
124 November 4, 1628Parma4.86
125 May 9, 1644Frignano4.86
126 March 21, 1661Modenese4.86
127 January 28, 1726Appennino bolognese4.86
128 May 29, 1743Ferrara4.86
129 1744 (exact date unknown)Appennino modenese4.86
130 April 22, 1753Appennino forlivese4.86
131 July 26, 1787Ferrara4.86
132 August 15, 1916Riminese4.85
133 March 15, 1864Zocca4.84
134 March 12, 1878Bolognese4.84
135 February 8, 1918Appennino forlivese4.84
136 June 10, 1904Frignano4.82
137 June 16, 1916Riminese4.82
138 April 12, 1929Bolognese4.82
139 May 10, 2000Faentino4.82
140 February 25, 1904Reggiano4.81
141 August 18, 1916Riminese4.81
142 April 11, 1931Faentino4.81
143 December 23, 2008Parmense4.81
144 July 21, 1913Appennino romagnolo4.79
145 April 25, 1835Val di taro4.77
146 February 14, 1881Appennino bolognese4.77
147 September 4, 1895Valle del montone4.77
148 August 15, 1916Riminese4.77
149 September 17, 1937Parmense4.77
150 January 20, 1505Bolognese4.76
151 July 4, 1952Appennino forlivese4.76
152 August 30, 1962Montefeltro4.76
153 January 8, 1917Appennino forlivese4.74
154 March 27, 1931Ferrarese4.74
155 April 26, 1956Appennino bolognese4.74
156 April 28, 1929Bolognese4.73
157 August 22, 1953Reggiano4.73
158 August 27, 1957Appennino modenese4.73
159 April 11, 1929Bolognese4.72
160 April 17, 1957Appennino forlivese4.72
161 October 5, 1522Pianura padana4.71
162 October 4, 1834Bolognese4.71
163 September 28, 1881Cesena4.71
164 May 2, 1987Reggiano4.71
165 April 5, 2009Faentino4.71
166 November 23, 1779Bolognese4.7
167 October 15, 1886Collecchio4.7
168 December 14, 1953Appennino forlivese4.7
169 February 2, 1881Russi4.69
170 May 11, 1962Appennino bolognese4.69
171 April 17, 1957Appennino forlivese4.68
172 June 13, 1928Carpi4.67
173 July 7, 1999Frignano4.67
174 May 8, 2000Faentino4.67
175 October 28, 1927Alta val di taro4.66
176 January 26, 2003Appennino forlivese4.66
177 February 4, 1732Parma4.65
178 March 23, 1895Comacchio4.65
179 November 25, 1913Appennino parmense4.65
180 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.65
181 April 24, 1987Reggiano4.64
182 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.64
183 November 16, 1339Ferrara4.63
184 August 17, 1409Ferrara4.63
185 August 10, 1425Ferrarese4.63
186 May 4, 1433Bologna4.63
187 June 4, 1572Parmense4.63
188 March 17, 1574Finale emilia4.63
189 May 24, 1591Reggio nell'emilia4.63
190 December 5, 1625Rimini4.63
191 March 25, 1655Appennino forlivese4.63
192 September 16, 1703Faentino4.63
193 August 9, 1732Romagna4.63
194 June 20, 1761Appennino forlivese4.63
195 August 13, 1771Appennino bolognese4.63
196 August 12, 1824Appennino forlivese4.63
197 April 8, 1828Appennino forlivese4.63
198 November 28, 1849Val di taro4.63
199 January 28, 1861Santa sofia4.63
200 April 5, 1878Bolognese4.63
201 April 22, 1929Bolognese4.61
202 December 5, 1978Romagna4.61
203 July 14, 1831Reggiano4.6
204 November 19, 2017Parmense4.6
205 January 25, 1881Bolognese4.59
206 January 16, 1898Romagna settentrionale4.59
207 March 9, 1898Romagna settentrionale4.59
208 June 10, 1931Modenese4.59
209 May 29, 1956Appennino forlivese4.59
210 October 8, 1828Romagna4.57
211 June 16, 1854Imola4.57
212 December 13, 1869Sassuolo4.57
213 August 21, 1916Riminese4.57
214 May 1, 1929Imolese4.57
215 December 23, 1980Piacentino4.57
216 March 15, 1988Reggiano4.57
217 May 7, 2000Faentino4.57
218 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.56
219 June 8, 1920Appennino forlivese4.54
220 April 19, 1929Bolognese4.54
221 December 18, 1965Pianura romagnola4.54
222 August 22, 1976Alta val di taro4.54
223 January 26, 1830Alto reno4.53
224 November 9, 1878Tossignano4.53
225 March 8, 1889Bolognese4.53
226 June 4, 1878Bolognese4.52
227 October 3, 2012Piacentino4.52
228 March 11, 1832Carpi4.51
229 June 3, 1956Appennino forlivese4.51
230 August 15, 1985Appennino parmense4.51
231 December 31, 1995Appennino reggiano4.51
232 June 2, 1908Frignano4.5
233 February 9, 1970Appennino forlivese4.5
234 January 26, 2003Appennino forlivese4.5
235 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.5
236 January 14, 2019Ravennate4.5
237 July 30, 1895Comacchio4.47
238 August 14, 1961Parmense4.47
239 June 12, 1924Frignano4.46
240 April 16, 2006Appennino forlivese4.46
241 January 23, 2015Appennino bolognese4.46
242 August 24, 1995Appennino pistoiese4.45
243 July 30, 2007Pianura emiliana4.45
244 April 3, 1967Reggiano4.44
245 January 11, 1968Pianura romagnola4.44
246 May 8, 1987Bassa modenese4.44
247 July 5, 1987Montefeltro4.44
248 January 4, 1775Appennino emiliano4.43
249 August 15, 1916Riminese4.42
250 December 2, 1952Appennino forlivese4.42
251 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.42
252 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.42
253 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.42
254 May 6, 1918Reggiano4.41
255 May 6, 1950Reggiano4.41
256 January 25, 1280Pianura emiliana4.4
257 January 31, 1345Pianura emiliana4.4
258 December 20, 1455Appennino bolognese4.4
259 April 7, 1465Pianura emiliana4.4
260 February 2, 1473Rimini4.4
261 March 3, 1483Ferrara4.4
262 April 3, 1505Bolognese4.4
263 May 15, 1505Bolognese4.4
264 March 24, 1547Reggiano4.4
265 November 24, 1561Ferrarese4.4
266 January 6, 1608Reggio nell'emilia4.4
267 April 19, 1653Reggiano4.4
268 August 15, 1653Romagna4.4
269 February 28, 1695Ferrara4.4
270 February 4, 1728Bolognese4.4
271 July 31, 1739Bologna4.4
272 June 11, 1778Forlì4.4
273 May 25, 1780Romagna4.4
274 July 16, 1787Ferrara4.4
275 September 30, 1826Appennino forlivese4.4
276 March 10, 1844Forlivese4.4
277 April 5, 1931Faentino4.4
278 October 29, 1951Valle del panaro4.4
279 June 18, 2000Pianura emiliana4.4
280 January 23, 1910Piacentino4.39
281 July 20, 1928Alta val di taro4.39
282 December 25, 1978Bassa modenese4.39
283 April 16, 2020Appennino piacentino4.39
284 January 13, 1915Cesenate4.38
285 January 10, 1969Pianura ravennate4.38
286 October 15, 1996Pianura emiliana4.38
287 May 8, 1961Forlivese4.37
288 August 13, 1961Parmense4.37
289 August 1, 1891Lugo4.36
290 October 20, 1966Romagna4.36
291 November 13, 1975Appennino piacentino4.36
292 January 25, 1999Appennino forlivese4.36
293 September 5, 1964Appennino tosco-emiliano4.35
294 December 8, 1896Sestola4.33
295 October 31, 1991Emilia occidentale4.33
296 March 11, 1959Appennino forlivese4.31
297 June 18, 2002Frignano4.3
298 November 20, 1927Appennino reggiano4.29
299 November 24, 1985Appennino forlivese4.29
300 November 25, 1996Pianura emiliana4.29
301 May 12, 2000Faentino4.29
302 July 15, 2005Forlivese4.29
303 July 12, 2011Appennino forlivese4.29
304 May 17, 1892Carpineti4.28
305 April 30, 1960Appennino forlivese4.28
306 June 5, 1973Appennino piacentino4.28
307 February 8, 1988Frignano4.28
308 November 18, 2018Riminese4.28
309 October 25, 1957Appennino reggiano4.27
310 January 26, 1959Alta val di taro4.27
311 August 1, 2000Montefeltro4.27
312 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.27
313 August 25, 1906Parmense4.25
314 May 19, 2012Pianura emiliana4.25
315 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.25
316 March 27, 1913Val trebbia4.24
317 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.24
318 June 8, 2002Frignano4.23
319 May 9, 2000Faentino4.22
320 October 3, 2000Frignano4.22
321 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.22
322 October 26, 1930Appennino tosco-emiliano4.21
323 June 24, 1969Parmense4.21
324 November 2, 2002Ferrarese4.21
325 May 9, 2007Pianura emiliana4.21
326 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.21
327 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.21
328 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.21
329 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.21
330 June 6, 2012Ravenna4.21
331 July 11, 2013Appennino forlivese4.21
332 July 11, 1987Bassa bolognese4.2
333 September 11, 1971Pianura emiliana4.19
334 January 26, 2003Appennino forlivese4.19
335 April 24, 2015Faentino4.19
336 February 13, 1913Corno alle scale4.18
337 December 7, 2003Forlivese4.18
338 December 28, 2007Appennino parmense4.18
339 July 12, 2011Appennino forlivese4.18
340 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.18
341 November 9, 1965Appennino reggiano4.17
342 February 25, 1323Bologna4.16
343 November 11, 1344Parma4.16
344 February 8, 1346Modena4.16
345 March 1, 1400Bologna4.16
346 March 3, 1400Bologna4.16
347 October 20, 1424Appennino tosco-romagnolo4.16
348 March 11, 1474Modena4.16
349 October 10, 1479Forlì4.16
350 February 7, 1481Pianura emiliana4.16
351 1485 (exact date unknown)Reggio nell'emilia4.16
352 January 27, 1505Bolognese4.16
353 October 26, 1508Ferrarese4.16
354 January 12, 1586Parmense4.16
355 October 3, 1594Ferrara4.16
356 December 31, 1607Reggio nell'emilia4.16
357 April 14, 1666Bolognese4.16
358 July 15, 1678Ferrara4.16
359 August 19, 1688Faentino4.16
360 March 4, 1774Parma4.16
361 August 20, 1779Bolognese4.16
362 February 22, 1799Correggio4.16
363 April 20, 1835Val di taro4.16
364 September 18, 1850Modenese4.16
365 January 10, 1875Portico di romagna4.16
366 July 23, 1880Imola4.16
367 March 22, 1910Bassa modenese4.16
368 February 21, 1928Alta val di taro4.16
369 January 8, 1963Appennino reggiano4.16
370 November 4, 1963Bassa modenese4.16
371 October 16, 1996Pianura emiliana4.16
372 May 11, 2000Faentino4.16
373 June 12, 2012Modenese4.16
374 May 19, 2018Piacentino4.16
375 November 29, 1921Val di taro4.15
376 March 12, 1955Parmense4.15
377 May 24, 2011Appennino forlivese4.15
378 April 1, 1931Faentino4.14
379 April 15, 1974Alta val di taro4.14
380 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.14
381 June 20, 2017Appennino tosco-emiliano4.14
382 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.13
383 September 30, 1887Faenza4.12
384 October 26, 1930Modenese4.12
385 October 19, 2009Piacentino4.12
386 May 21, 2012Pianura emiliana4.12
387 January 20, 1901Bassa modenese4.11
388 April 17, 1992Appennino bolognese4.11
389 May 23, 2012Pianura emiliana4.11
390 March 15, 1925Appennino tosco-emiliano4.1
391 October 15, 1996Pianura emiliana4.1
392 May 2, 2000Faentino4.1
393 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.1
394 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.1
395 December 25, 2008Parmense4.09
396 May 3, 1970Parmense4.08
397 August 16, 1988Alta val di taro4.08
398 May 6, 2000Faentino4.08
399 December 23, 2008Parmense4.08
400 October 13, 2010Costa romagnola4.08
401 May 15, 1967Appennino reggiano4.07
402 December 16, 1996Pianura emiliana4.06
403 April 16, 1997Appennino reggiano4.06
404 January 29, 2003Appennino forlivese4.06
405 May 30, 2012Pianura emiliana4.05
406 October 20, 1893Appennino parmense4.04
407 October 3, 1989Appennino parmense4.04
408 May 20, 2012Pianura emiliana4.04
409 May 31, 2012Pianura emiliana4.04
410 June 19, 2002Frignano4.03
411 May 25, 2012Pianura emiliana4.03
412 May 27, 2012Pianura emiliana4.03
413 May 29, 2012Pianura emiliana4.03
414 July 8, 1899Bagno di romagna4.02
415 March 5, 2018Appennino forlivese4.02
416 June 25, 1972Parmense4.01
417 September 15, 2003Appennino bolognese4.01
418 September 5, 2010Appennino forlivese4
419 November 5, 1993Cesenate3.99
420 December 9, 2016Appennino reggiano3.99
421 May 12, 1895Reggiano3.98
422 October 24, 1930Appennino tosco-emiliano3.97
423 December 27, 1995Forlivese3.97
424 April 18, 2005Valle del trebbia3.97
425 September 18, 1934Vignola3.95
426 November 7, 1993Cesenate3.95
427 May 28, 1934Faentino3.94
428 October 26, 1996Pianura emiliana3.94
429 August 17, 1174Bologna3.93
430 July 24, 1383Parma3.93
431 September 22, 1780Forlivese3.93
432 July 17, 1860Reggiano3.93
433 June 28, 1908Finale emilia3.93
434 July 25, 1928Carpi3.93
435 April 5, 1963Finale emilia3.93
436 September 26, 1970Cesenate3.93
437 November 2, 1970Bassa modenese3.93
438 November 9, 1993Cesenate3.93
439 February 21, 1998Pianura emiliana3.93
440 August 17, 1929Bolognese3.89
441 July 13, 1932Reggiano3.86
442 May 12, 1986Appennino parmense3.8
443 September 12, 1912Carpi3.76
444 July 10, 1985Appennino parmense3.76
445 May 26, 1981Reggiano3.75
446 January 3, 1408Bologna3.7
447 June 6, 1468Romagna3.7
448 January 11, 1487Ferrara3.7
449 October 18, 1508Ferrarese3.7
450 March 19, 1689Faentino3.7
451 June 10, 1761Appennino forlivese3.7
452 January 31, 1896Sant'agata feltria3.7
453 October 1, 1912Piacenza3.7
454 May 24, 1922Ferrarese3.7
455 July 16, 1954Appennino piacentino3.7
456 October 5, 1963Appennino reggiano3.7
457 July 8, 1987Montefeltro3.7
458 January 20, 1901Bassa modenese3.68
459 May 12, 1997Pianura emiliana3.68
460 April 13, 2005Valle del trebbia3.68
461 July 21, 1985Appennino parmense3.67
462 August 8, 1985Appennino parmense3.66
463 April 19, 1932Modenese3.63
464 October 26, 1996Pianura emiliana3.63
465 March 14, 1996Appennino tosco-romagnolo3.56